Knot My Band, Part One (Knot My Band #1)

Oli

OMEGA BUZZ GOSSIP COLUMN

IF YOU DON’T ALREADY HAVE TICKETS, IT MIGHT BE TOO LATE FOR THE ALPHA AND OMEGA TOUR, AS PRICES SKYROCKET

April 21st

I ’m lifted onto the stage from underneath, posed and ready for the first lines of the show. I’m vibrating, practically thrumming with energy as the electric hum of anticipation ricochets through my bones.

The spotlight hits me, the guys hit their cues, and I start singing.

I live for this thrill. It’s everything I ever dreamed of as a kid, and it’s that much sweeter with the group of alphas behind me on the stage.

My parents weren’t around much. My dad was an alpha who was always working, and my mom only cared about high society. We don’t talk much anymore.

After the first song, I address the crowd, “Las Vegas! Thank you for having us here tonight! The Edge and I are ready for the best show yet!”

They scream and cheer so loudly that I think this really is the most lively group we’ve seen.

Three songs later, I’m a little worried about everyone in the crowd. I’m constantly scanning to make sure everyone is safe. I haven’t seen anything yet, but they’re so wild I know I can’t let my guard down. I’m committed to ensuring a safe and enjoyable show for everyone.

The rush of the chorus sweeps me up. I’m in the zone. Nothing can touch me until something does. Or almost does. A dark object cuts through the limelight, zipping past my cheek so close I feel the whisper of it against my skin.

Adrenaline spikes as the object clatters against the stage floor.

I flinch back and move directly into the path of something else which smacks into my arm. Looking down, I see someone actually threw their phone on stage. My arm is stinging, but I ignore it and keep singing.

The music cuts out behind me like a screech.

My guys took a different approach.

“Hey! No throwing things on the stage!” Jack’s voice slices through the tension as he barks into his microphone. It’s a growl that’s all alpha and all protective fury. Those piercing blue eyes scan the audience, demanding respect and dominance, rolling off him in waves that have nothing to do with the pounding bass.

The bark hits me right in the chest. My little omega heart has no choice but to obey. It’s so strong I wouldn’t doubt it affected alphas and betas, too.

Jack leaves his spot. His tall frame sidesteps into view, muscles tense beneath his jersey. He moves next to me on the stage, pulling me back towards his microphone before they all start playing again where they left off.

The sheer power of him commanding the room is something else. It’s impressive… it’s… hot.

His eyes are staring at my arm where I can feel a bruise forming.

My voice croaks as I get back into the song, but muscle memory takes over before I can screw the song up even more.

After that song, I have a break, during which I can grab a sip of water and talk to the crowd if I want. I need to do a little damage control.

I fan my face. “Is it hot in here, or is it just a gorgeous alpha’s sexy bark?”

The cheer sounds uncertain. I need to turn it up.

I flash a grin at Jack and lean back into his chest. “My hero!”

The crowd eats it up, their cheers fueling the fire between us. Jack’s smirk is a challenge, his gaze holding mine with the intensity of his fierce, protective presence.

I laugh, tossing my rose gold waves over one shoulder and fixing my bangs.

By the next song, when no one has thrown anything up on stage again, Jack lets me move around more, but I can feel all of their eyes on me the entire time.

At the end of the show, I hit my mark and am lowered down below the stage. Riley is there, like always.

“You did amazing! I thought I was going to have a press nightmare on my hands after people were throwing things on stage, but you handled it perfectly, as always! I’m so glad you have those alphas out there with you.”

“Thanks, Riley.”

I rush over to the stairs, barely waving to my security so I can see those alphas. I know they were freaked out by what happened .

Riley grabs my arm and stops me before I can go up. “You’re okay, right?”

I hug her. “I’m fine, Riley.”

Rushing up the stairs, I find all four of the alphas waiting there for me, anxiety bleeding from their scents.

It’s a burnt mix of coffee, caramel, cookies, and, is that cinnamon? I have to hold back a whine.

“Are you okay?” Aiden rushes forward to ask me. He smells like someone left chocolate chip cookies in the oven too long.

Chase grabs my wrist and stares at my arm. “I can’t believe they threw stuff on stage.”

“It’s a stupid thing that happens. I’m okay,” I reassure them.

“We are canceling the meet and greet today,” Dax demands.

I realize the cinnamon is coming from him. I haven’t gotten to smell him yet. He’s been dousing himself in scent cancelers but must have forgotten in all the commotion.

His scent is a cinnamon roll, which is too ironic since he is anything but.

“No, we aren’t, but thanks for caring, Dax,” I say sweetly.

Jack starts, “-”

But the air shifts and turns sour as a reporter pushes through the crowd of people milling about. She’s got this aggressive vibe, eyes narrow, mouth set in a hard line. Her scent is smokey and makes me feel like I’m choking. Her presence feels like a dark cloud creeping over us.

“ Hart!” she calls out, her tone more accusation than greeting. “Care to comment on tonight’s little incident?” The way she says ‘incident’ makes my spine stiffen.

I’m cocooned by a wall of determined faces and firm stances, a united front of leather jackets and steel resolve .

“Alex Moore, you’re not supposed to be back here,” Jack growls.

Oh fuck, it’s the reporter that hates them and worked with May on that article.

The reporter, undeterred, locks her eyes on Jack. “And what about you, Hansley? Throwing your weight around on stage and barking? Care to explain why you think that’s acceptable?”

Jack’s jaw clenches, and there’s a storm brewing in his blue eyes.

I don’t want him to say the wrong thing and give this reporter any quotes to work with.

“We need to go meet our fans,” I cut in, winking at Jack.

The reporter huffs, clearly unimpressed with our lack of scandalous material, but she can’t penetrate the fortress we’ve built around each other.

I grab Jack and Dax, the most aggressive two, and pull them behind me.

“Thanks for getting us out of there, ,” Chase adds, giving me a wink that sends a shiver down my spine.

Their protective alpha vibes make me feel safe and protected.

“I was going to say something that would have made front-page news, so you’re my hero,” Jack confirms, guiding us with a hand at the small of my back. The touch is casual but charged.

“Well, you protected me out there, so I’m happy to return the favor.”

Four growls sound around me.

“That never should have happened,” Aiden says.

Dax grunts his agreement.

“I’ll be talking to security to tighten things up,” Jack says.

I roll my eyes at them. “They’re doing their best, so leave them alone. This happens at lots of people’s shows. I doubt it will happen again after tonight.”

“But-” Jack starts.

“No, the security guys are great, so leave them alone!”

We get to the door to the meet and greet, and the guys stare between me and the door.

“Do you always get what you want, little rose?” Chase asks with a smirk.

I shrug. “I don’t like letting people down.”

Pushing through the door, I smile and greet the fans.